Grammar Schools

Fifty years ago, in a primary school classroom, two boys aged 11 took an examination called the Eleven-plus, which would make decisions about the rest of their lives. Paul passed and went to a grammar school. Baz failed the examination and went to a secondary modern school. They did not see each other again for years. Many grammar schools were established hundreds of years ago to teach the Latin language to children who were not from rich families. They encouraged students to study until they were 18 and then to go to university. Secondary modern school students left at 16, usually with fewer qualifications than grammar school students. Baz said that the secondary modern school had fewer resources and the quality of teaching was not as good. Things have changed. In the 1960s and the 1970s comprehensive schools were created. Today, 90% of children aged 11 to 18 from the same area go to the same school without taking any entrance examination. The British often disagree about the best way to educate their children. Many people say that comprehensive schools help more children to succeed because they provide everybody with similar opportunities, in a fairer way. Another view, though, is that more intelligent children, especially those from poorer homes, are better supported at grammar schools. Now the government plans to open new grammar schools so that almost two million children will go to the same type of school that Paul attended.